Communion in the Midst of Chaos, Part Two: Storms

Acts 27: 13-32

13: Calm exists before the storm

14: Planned destinations have unplanned obstacles

15: Stop fighting and let things happen, at times

16-17: Work to strengthen and bind up what we can

18-19: Lighten ourselves that weigh us down

20: Save hopeless men lost in dark violent storms

21: Abstinence can make the heart grow fonder

22-25: Rejoice in God’s special Word for trying times

26-32: Salvation sometimes requires drastic measures

What Do We Have to Say and How Do We Say It? Part Two

Acts 26: 12-32

vs. 12-15: Tell of your salvation and that Jesus lives
Tell of your experience with Jesus 12-13
Tell what Jesus spoke to you about 14-15
Jesus is alive

vs. 16-17: Reveal the purpose of your salvation
To be a servant and a witness 16
To send you to whom I delivered you from 17

vs. 18: Reveal the purpose of your salvation
To open their eyes
To turn them from darkness
To turn them from Satan to God
That they receive forgiveness from their sins
That they receive inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ

vs. 19-20: Be obedient to Jesus’ vision

What Do We Have to Say and How Do We Say It?

Acts 26:1-11

vs. 1 - Give your story of what you were saved from
Look for God to open doors to give your testimony

vs. 2 - Be ready to give an answer

vs. 3 - Be respectful to authority and appeal for them to hear

vs. 4-5 - Tell them where your story started

vs. 6-8 - Preach the Resurrection with a collective touch

vs. 9-11 - Mention your sins that Jesus saved you from
vs. 9 - Paul did multiple things against Jesus
vs. 10 - Paul says he shut many up in prison and assented to many of their deaths
vs. 11 - Paul punished Christians often, compelled them to blaspheme, persecuted and pursued them

Sinner Saul became the saved, sanctified, servant Paul of the Savior.

No Plea Bargains - When it Comes to Preaching the Cross

Acts 25:1-12

1-6: We expect conspiracies to continue against the cross of Christ

7: We expect beefed-up charges when it comes to the cross

8: We may defend ourselves for the cross

9: We should be aware of the Devil’s deception, as he attacks the cross of Christ

10: We become familiar with the appeals process, and remember that God is in control

11: We respect righteous law, if it respects the cross

12: We must answer to others and remember that God has so ordained it

Speak to Them Concerning Faith in Christ

Acts 24:22-27

22: Our Testimony Precedes Us
- Felix had a beginning knowledge of the Jewish Christians and their beliefs

23: Our Freedoms are in God’s Hands
- A Centurion (leader in the army) was assigned to Paul, but Paul was allowed to have visitors and some freedoms

24: Our Readiness Concerns “The Faith in Christ”
- Paul was ready to discuss his faith in Jesus Christ with Felix and his wife

25: Our Conversation Starts Here
Paul reasoned with Felix and his wife and discussed:
1. Righteousness
2. Temperance (self-control)
3. Judgment to Come
Felix trembled at what Paul said but sent Paul away.

26: Our Expectation is that Not all will be Sincere
- Felix talked with Paul often, but he had ulterior motives for initiating conversation. Felix hoped that Paul would bribe him into letting him go.

27: Our Patience is to Wait on God
- Felix kept Paul bound for two years to make the people happy. God has plan for us even when we are in valleys.

God's Providence Prevails, Part Two

Acts 23:23-35

23 - God gave governments their sword
200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, 200 spearmen escorted the prisoner, Paul, to Felix

24 - God gave is mission to the government
Paul gets taken to Governor Felix, just like God wants him to be.

25-30 - Government communicates concerning chaos
Claudius writes a letter to Governor Felix concerning Paul. He describes and explains the situation and the feelings of the people, wanting Paul killed.

- Government has laws against government (27)
- Government notes reasons and causes (28)
- Government notes objectives (29)
- Government carries the sword against evil (30)

31-35 - Government is to maintain order
Claudius has to pass Paul through the government system, according to the law.

God's Providence Prevails

* Acts 23:12-22

* GOD’S PROVIDENCE PREVAILS!

12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. 18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. 19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? 20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. 22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged [him, See thou] tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

 

-Acts 23:12-22 GOD’S PROVIDENCE PREVAILS!

* INTRODUCTION to Acts 22:12-22 is Acts 22:30-23:11

* DOCTRINE THAT WE DO! 22.30-23.1-3

* DOCTRINE THAT WE DIVIDE OVER! 4-10

- Believers and Unbelievers rail against church division & separation. What has happen to large denominations & cults who have a centralized vs decentralized government polity with power. Power seems to have a side kick that always tags along = poison in doctrine & purity! Maybe some division instead of denominational globalistic control is good!

* DOCTRINE THAT WE LIVE & DIE FOR! 11

- Maybe we ought to be willing to die than join forces with the devil

- Maybe we ought to stay pure doctrinally and morally than yoke up with the wicked  

* Acts 23:12-15

- 12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, hat saying they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

* THE DEVIL’S PLAN! 12-15

-The Devil has his Devices which today’s text reveals a few!

 

*Act 23:12

- 12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

* NOTE THE MEANS TO THE END!

* 12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together,

* THEY BANDED = -AV-do 357, make 113, bring forth 14, commit 9, cause 9, work 8, show 5, bear 4, keep 4, fulfil 3, deal 2, perform 2, not tr 3, misc 43, vr do 3; 579

- OTHERS RECRUITED TO EVIL! “banded together”

- The commitment they aim to perform is Satanic

- The cause they want to accomplish is Satanic

- The work they join together To fulfill is Satanic

- This grew out of great dissension in verse 10

- That is the origin, the root of sedition, insurrection, uproar

* THEY BOUND THEMSELVES! bound themselves under a curse,

- saying that they would neither eat nor drink

- BOUND AV-curse 1, bind under a curse 1, bind with an oath 1, bind under a great curse + 331 1; 4

- Satanic glue is being bound around curses of devotion to destruction

- They made a bond, an oath, a curse to do evil, harm wickedness

* NOTE THEIR END! till they had killed Paul.

* THE DEVIL’S MEANS ARE CORRUPTED AND HIS ENDS ARE DEATH & DESTRUCTION!

- He plots and pursues evil

 

* ACTS 23:11

* GOD’S PLAN

-He overules

-God gave Paul comfort before Satan’s attack

 

* ACTS 23:12

* PREPARING FOR SATANIC CONSPIRACIES!

* BEFORE 12-15 occurred 11 occurred

- GOD PREPARED PAUL FOR SATAN’S MURDEROUS PLOT and PURSUIT BY WHAT HAPPENED IN VERSE 11

- identify the source by the means to the end

* Acts 23:11! And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

 

*Act 23:11  GOD’S GIVES PROPER PERSPECTIVE!

-11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

 

* KNOW HIS PRESENCE In vs 11 God And the night following the Lord stood by him,

- & He stands with us

- GOD COMFORTS BY His Presence

- GOD STANDS BY US

 

* KNOW HIS PEACE VS 11 God said, Be of good cheer,

- GOD COMFORTS BY His Peace

- GOD CHEERS US

 

* KNOW HIS PURPOSES vs 11 God promised Paul as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem,

- GOD COMFORTS BY His Purposes! Promises!

-TO TESTIFY MEANS to charge, attest, affirm, confirm truth to THOSE IN ROME about HIM, 11 so must thou bear witness also at Rome

- TESTIFY= 1263 διαμαρτύρομαι diamarturomai dee-am-ar-too’-rom-ahee from 1223 and 3140; v; AV-testify 11, charge 3, witness 1; 15 -earnestly charge, solemnly affirm, to confirm of HIM by testimony, to cause it to be believed

- This is God’s PURPOSE for Paul “to testify of Him”

- GOD WANTS US TO TESTIFY OF HIM

 

* KNOW HIS PROMISES so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

- BEAR WITNESS in Rome THOU MUST= 3140 μαρτυρέω martureo mar-too-reh’-o, from 3144; v; AV-bear witness 25, testify 19, bear record 13, witness 5, be a witness 2, give testimony 2, have a good report 2, misc 11; 79

- Slightly Different greek word but related

1) to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration  1a) to give (not to keep back) testimony  1b) to utter honourable testimony, give a good report  1c) conjure, implore

- God wanted to cause TRUTH ABOUT HIMSELF to be believed -GOD WANTS OR WITNESS TO BE BORN TO OTHERS

* Acts 23:11 SO BEFORE THE TRIAL COMES TO YOU 11 by faith not by sight

* HIS PRESENCE? IS JESUS STANDING BY YOU Or is Satan evident in OUR actions

* HIS PEACE? ARE WE RECEIVING JESUS’ PEACE?

* HIS PURPOSES? Or are Satan’s purposes & PLEASURES owning & drives us

* HIS PROMISES? = OUR PROMISES?

- Or the promises of Satan’s lies

* Is Jesus’ Perspective Enough for Us?

 

*Act 23:13  THE DEVIL’S PLAN

- 13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

* CONSPIRACIES DEPEND ON NUMBERS!

- TO FULFIL THEIR WICKEDNESS

-CONSPIRACY = AV-conspiracy 1; 1

1) a swearing together

2) a conspiracy Please observe the word conspiracy in verse 13

- Oaths with evil means and evil ends

- When we employ evil means for How some say “the better good”, you have a snapshot of Satanic activity

- This is where separation comes in

- The ends do not justify the means unless both the means to the end are as righteous as the righterous ends in God’s eyes!

- An evil conspiracy is one in which the means and or the ends are evil

 

*Act 23:14  THE DEVIL’S PLAN

-14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

* CONSPIRACIES DEPEND PEOPLE, POWER AND POSITION!

*And they came to the chief priests and elders, *and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, *that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

 

*Act 23:15

-15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

* CONSPIRATORS DEPEND ON DECEPTION!

* Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow,

* as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him:

* and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

 

* Act 23:16-22 PROTECTION AGAINST CONSOIRACIES

- 16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. 18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. 19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? 20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. 22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged [him, See thou] tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

 

Doctrine that we Do, Divide Over, and Die For

Acts 22:30-23:11

2 John 7-10 Watch for deceivers that say that Jesus is not Jesus. Do not let them in.

Doctrine means the teachings that someone says.

  1. Doctrine that we do

    1. We face God’s foes vs. 30
      Paul was brought before the council

    2. We look them in the eyes vs. 1
      Paul earnestly beheld them

    3. We face them in good conscience vs. 1
      Paul says, “I have lived in all good conscinece.”

    4. We stand in Christ, our Defense and Authority
      The high priest, Ananias, ordered Paul to be hit.
      Paul says the priest isn’t worth accusing him

  2. Doctrine that we divide over

    1. We revile what God reviles vs. 4-5
      Paul says he wishes Ananias wasn’t the High Priest

    2. We focus on Christ’s hope and resurrection vs. 6

    3. We preach Christ’s doctrine vs. 7-10

  3. Doctrine that we live and die for

    1. Jesus says to be happy, because he will be preaching in Rome vs. 11

To Deliver the Good News at Any Cost

Acts 21:27 - 22:1-29

27-36: Understand Attacks and Arrests are Possible
27 - Someone stirred up the people against Paul
28-29 - Paul accused of polluting the temple
Proverbs 26:20 - Strife has a root, a lie, by a talebearer
30-31 - All the city of Jerusalem captured Paul
32-34 - Soldiers order Paul to be bound and carried into the castle
35-36 - The people uproar against Paul, still.

37-39: Appeal to Authority
37 - Paul asks for permission to speak
38 - Paul questioned by the people
39 - Paul asks for permission to speak to all the people

40-22:5 - Testify About Yourself
40 - Paul now spoke Hebrew to them for their understanding
1 - Paul asks them to listen to him
2-3 - Paul got their attention with Hebrew and says he is a Jew
4-5 - He began to tell his story about himself hating Jews in time past

22:6-21: Testify About Jesus
6-7 - Paul begins his testimony telling about when he was on the Road to Damascus
8- 10 - He tells what Jesus said and did
11 - 13 - He tells of his blindness and miracle of sight
14 - 16 - He tells how he found out his purpose for God’s sake
17-21 - He tells of how he got here and tells the people of their sin

22-29: Be Ready for Persecution and Martyrdom
22-23 - People did not like what he said
24-29 - Paul was tied up and they were going to beat him. He tells of his citizenship.